Monitoring Bay Scallop Recruitment

Large bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) spat on the inside of a recruitment collector.

FWRI scientists continually monitor bay scallop spat recruitment in the Gulf of Mexico by deploying collectors. Recruitment collectors are composed of a citrus bag weighted to a concrete block and float-array. The citrus bags emulates seagrass which spat will attach to. These traps are switched out every 6-8 weeks and the number of spat are recorded.

Image Credit: FWC

FWC Facts:Fines for damaging seagrasses take into account their economic and environmental importance and the costs of assessing and repairing damage.

Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its 2016 Agency Regulatory Plan.

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